What Is the Benefit of Fat?

We have heard so many bad things about fat for so long, it is easy to overlook the fact that it is essential for our bodies to operate effectively. In fact, it is essential for good health. It supplies the body with essential fatty acids, which are used to promote growth and healthy skin. It helps the body absorb vitamins and minerals and regulates many bodily functions.

Saturated Fats

So much of the body uses saturated fats for optimal health. Most of the brain is made up of cholesterol and fat and about 50 percent of the fat are saturated fats. Fat protects the liver from potentially harmful substances and it is essential for proper lung function, a strong immune system and healthy bones. Saturated fats occur naturally in animals and animal products, such as meat, milk, butter and yogurt. For many years, doctors and nutritionists have urged us to keep away from these products or to cut them to a minimum. They have promoted low fat versions of butter, milk, yogurt, bread and just about any other consumable product. Naturally, we were led to believe all fat was bad because the benefit of fat was never explained to us.

After years of consuming the low fat foods people are no healthier and no thinner. In fact, the reverse is true - we are getting bigger and less healthy. Obviously, the low fat doctrine has not worked. Now, as the results of more research are made known, we are told the low fat alternative is not best for our health after all. In addition to that, the saturated fats are not the villains we have been led to believe. Recent research has shown that the real culprits are the trans fats. They are the fats that have no nutritional value and are the ones linked to heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's. They are found in many fast foods and some margarine.

Mono-unsaturated Fats

These are fats derived from olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds and chocolate. None of these is difficult to fit into our diet - especially the chocolate. Research has shown these fats help us lose weight, lower our bad cholesterol, reduce risk of cancer and lower the inflammation in our bodies. They are also a good source of vitamins A, D, E and K and help the body absorb these more effectively.

The benefit of fat is undisputed but, like all food, we need to control the amount we eat and to make sure we are getting enough of the good fat.

You can make sure you are eating the right foods and getting the healthy, fat-burning fats your body needs by visiting http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-lose-stomach-fat-in-your-50s. William Burnell has studied and followed a healthy lifestyle for many years and knows how rewarding it can be.